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The Miata's a great little sports car, but I don't fit in one with the roof up, and I look through the top of the windshield 'verted. No torque, which I can't stand, but feels like a go kart. What about the Toyoburu twins? They're cool looking, and inexpensive.
I test drove a BRZ before I bought my C5. Fun car to drive. Nice handling feel. It could really use forced induction. I wouldn't be satisfied with a stock car.
Elises were out of my price range. I saw a few older higher mileage Caymans for around 15-20k but passed on them because of the Porsche reputation for expensive maintenance and parts.
For 30k, my top choice would be an Elise. You should be able to find a nice 05 or 06 for 28-30k. A Cayman would be cool too. 30k should buy a low mileage Cayman S. Maybe in a few years 30k will buy an Alfa 4C.
You cannot get an NSX or a Supra Twin Turbo for under $30,000 unless they are salvaged and have incredibly high miles and/or need work. I sold my '91 NSX last fall for $50,000 and prices are higher now than a year ago. I sold my non Turbo '95 Supra about a month ago for $25,000 to buy my 8,974 mile '02 Corvette Convertible.
For under $30,000, here's a few options that i like:
Boxster S or Cayman - I bought a Boxster S new on 2002 and loved it. The Cayman is basically a fixed roof coupe version of the Boxster.
BMW M Coupe or Roadster- The older ones from 1998 to 2002 have skyrocketed in value lately (especially the Coupes), but a newer version should be able to be bought for $30,000 or less.
The Supra fan boy , fast and the furious tuner kids have completely driven up the prices on supras.
Here in Canada they are not more then $20k for a low mileage TT 6 speed, even less.
As for me I wouldn't even pay 5k for one but that's another story.
For 30k , id get into an AMG of some sort, just have an extra 5k laying around for the issues that pop up now and again.
08-28-2015, 11:32 AM
I own a 2002 miata and a 2002 corvette both are great cars but on the curvy mountain roads the six speed miata is king. 
